Chicago Architecture Center
River Cruise
Aboard First Lady
The Cruise That Puts Architecture First
Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), First Lady offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience.
Highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides) provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago’s numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city.
Enjoy cruising in comfort and style aboard Chicago’s Finest Fleet, featuring unobstructed sightlines and guaranteed seating on our open-air upper decks and full-service cocktail and snack bars in our climate-controlled interior salons. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago.
Book your cruise
Sorry, no cruises are available for this day. Our next cruising date is March 16, 2025
BUILDING EXCITEMENT
Our tour is the only architecture cruise led by one of over 100 expert CAC volunteer docents, each providing unique insights and stories about the city’s architecture.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Amenities
- Food & Drink A Full Service bar and snack bar are available on every vessel.
- Outdoor Seating Each vessel features an open-air upper deck which allows guests to safely enjoy the outdoors.
- Restrooms Well-appointed restrooms are available on each vessel.
- Free Stroller Storage Strollers will be folded and stored in the interior salon during the cruise. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding.
- Limited Mobility Services Available See our Location page for river-level drop-off directions for guests with accessibility needs. Our staff is also available to provide early boarding services for those with limited mobility.
- Food & Drink A Full Service bar and snack bar are available on every vessel.
- Outdoor Seating Each vessel features an open-air upper deck which allows guests to safely enjoy the outdoors.
- Restrooms Well-appointed restrooms are available on each vessel.
- Free Stroller Storage Strollers will be folded and stored in the interior salon during the cruise. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding.
- Limited Mobility Services Available See our Location page for river-level drop-off directions for guests with accessibility needs. Our staff is also available to provide early boarding services for those with limited mobility.
- Tour Duration 90 minutes
- Arrival Time Make sure your entire party arrives 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Priority Boarding Tickets include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission.
- General Boarding Tickets begin boarding approximately 15 minutes before departure.
- Seating Open outdoor seating is guaranteed for all guests. The number on your ticket does not represent a seat number.
- Tour Route The tour travels all three branches of the Chicago River. View tour route map. Route subject to change without notice.
- Cruises depart rain or shine. Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat - allow extra time.
- What to Bring Your sunglasses, cap or visor, as the sun can interfere with your view of the buildings.
- Parking Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive with proper validation from ticket office. Visit our Location page for more.
- Did you know? A portion of your ticket fee supports the educational work of the Chicago Architecture Center!
Frequently Asked Questions
All of our boats have two levels - the upper deck is an open-air deck, and the lower deck is an enclosed, climate-controlled salon. Each salon is surrounded by large windows so you can stay dry and still take in the spectacular views. Vessels cruise rain or shine safely guided by our U.S. Coast Guard-trained captains and crew.
Although advanced reservations are not required, we do recommend booking online in advance. Many tours will sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends.
Yes. Passengers of all ages are required to purchase a ticket, including children and infants. However, all of our Sightseeing Cruises offer discount pricing for kids 4-12 and free tickets for children under 4.
Discounted rates for the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady are available for groups of 20 or more on select daytime departures Sunday through Thursday and must be booked at least one week in advance. For more information, rates and booking please contact our partners at the Chicago Architecture Center at (312)332-1130 or visit https://www.architecture.org/tours/groups/group-tours/.
The closest and most convenient parking option is the LAZ Parking Service Garage located at 111 E. Wacker Dr. (Illinois Center).
This garage is directly across the street from the stairway to our dock and next door to the Chicago Architecture Center. The entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Avenue, on the south side of Upper East Wacker Drive. Reservations can be made online.
If you don't prepay for a parking space online, bring your parking ticket to our ticket office for a parking validation sticker. You can also get a parking validation sticker from the boat's bartender if the ticket office is closed. The discounted rate with validation is $14 (for 3 hours or less) or $15 (for 4 hours or less). No discounts offered for 4+ hours.
Alternatively, we also encourage our guests to use SpotHero, which often has the best rates at this and other nearby garages in the River North and Loop neighborhoods.
Note: LAZ Parking Services at 111 E. Wacker is not owned or affiliated with First Lady. The parking information posted here is merely for the convenience of our guests and is not to be construed as a recommendation or endorsement.
No, the tour is only on the Chicago River. If you'd like to take a lake tour, please check out our Sightseeing Cruises.
In accordance with ADA guidelines, we welcome service dogs onboard. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the person's disability prevents use of these devices. Emotional support animals, pets, and other animals not covered by the ADA are not permitted. All dogs are welcome on our Canine Cruise!
At this time the Riverwalk does not offer any elevators. For those who need ADA ramps, you may access the Riverwalk via the ADA ramp at State Street and Wacker Drive within the Vietnam Memorial Park. Then just follow the Riverwalk to the East under the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Our Ticket Office is marked with a black awning. Our stairway offers handrails and shade from the sun. There is also a vehicle drop-off area on Lower Wacker Drive.
General boarding begins 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Priority boarding begins 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Choose any seat - all offer a great view!
The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority. After more than 80 years providing memorable cruises of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for millions of guests, we are proud to say we have a perfect safety record. All of our vessels are regulated, licensed and inspected by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) every year, and have undergone stability testing to ensure our guests are safe on their waterway experience. Our captains and deckhands go through an extensive training and drilling program that goes above and beyond the standards set by the USCG. Because we are committed to continuing education, we provide extra training every day to our crew.
Visit firstlady.com/accessibility for detailed dock and vessel accessibility information.
No, all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
The Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady have changing tables onboard in the family restroom. The Little Lady, Fair Lady, and First Lady do not have changing tables onboard.
Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding. Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise.
Due to security reasons, luggage cannot be brought onboard. There is not an area to store your luggage dockside either. We recommend having your hotel hold your luggage.
Yes, all the boats have restrooms onboard. There are also wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady. Please note: the restrooms close 15 minutes before the end of the tour for safety reasons.
You do not have to print your tickets. You can show your mobile ticket to our dock attendant with your smartphone, or you can have your tickets printed at the dockside will call window (be sure to bring a photo ID and your confirmation number).
All seating is general admission. Outdoor seating is guaranteed.
Yes. All boats have a full service bar and small snacks onboard. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
All tours are 90 minutes except for our 2-hour 3D Fireworks Cruises.
We are the only tour that partners with the Chicago Architecture Center to offer the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady. All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour.
All of our boats have two levels - the upper deck is an open-air deck, and the lower deck is an enclosed, climate-controlled salon. Each salon is surrounded by large windows so you can stay dry and still take in the spectacular views. Vessels cruise rain or shine safely guided by our U.S. Coast Guard-trained captains and crew.
Although advanced reservations are not required, we do recommend booking online in advance. Many tours will sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends.
Yes. Passengers of all ages are required to purchase a ticket, including children and infants. However, all of our Sightseeing Cruises offer discount pricing for kids 4-12 and free tickets for children under 4.
Discounted rates for the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady are available for groups of 20 or more on select daytime departures Sunday through Thursday and must be booked at least one week in advance. For more information, rates and booking please contact our partners at the Chicago Architecture Center at (312)332-1130 or visit https://www.architecture.org/tours/groups/group-tours/.
The closest and most convenient parking option is the LAZ Parking Service Garage located at 111 E. Wacker Dr. (Illinois Center).
This garage is directly across the street from the stairway to our dock and next door to the Chicago Architecture Center. The entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Avenue, on the south side of Upper East Wacker Drive. Reservations can be made online.
If you don't prepay for a parking space online, bring your parking ticket to our ticket office for a parking validation sticker. You can also get a parking validation sticker from the boat's bartender if the ticket office is closed. The discounted rate with validation is $14 (for 3 hours or less) or $15 (for 4 hours or less). No discounts offered for 4+ hours.
Alternatively, we also encourage our guests to use SpotHero, which often has the best rates at this and other nearby garages in the River North and Loop neighborhoods.
Note: LAZ Parking Services at 111 E. Wacker is not owned or affiliated with First Lady. The parking information posted here is merely for the convenience of our guests and is not to be construed as a recommendation or endorsement.
No, the tour is only on the Chicago River. If you'd like to take a lake tour, please check out our Sightseeing Cruises.
In accordance with ADA guidelines, we welcome service dogs onboard. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the person's disability prevents use of these devices. Emotional support animals, pets, and other animals not covered by the ADA are not permitted. All dogs are welcome on our Canine Cruise!
At this time the Riverwalk does not offer any elevators. For those who need ADA ramps, you may access the Riverwalk via the ADA ramp at State Street and Wacker Drive within the Vietnam Memorial Park. Then just follow the Riverwalk to the East under the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Our Ticket Office is marked with a black awning. Our stairway offers handrails and shade from the sun. There is also a vehicle drop-off area on Lower Wacker Drive.
General boarding begins 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Priority boarding begins 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Choose any seat - all offer a great view!
The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority. After more than 80 years providing memorable cruises of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for millions of guests, we are proud to say we have a perfect safety record. All of our vessels are regulated, licensed and inspected by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) every year, and have undergone stability testing to ensure our guests are safe on their waterway experience. Our captains and deckhands go through an extensive training and drilling program that goes above and beyond the standards set by the USCG. Because we are committed to continuing education, we provide extra training every day to our crew.
Visit firstlady.com/accessibility for detailed dock and vessel accessibility information.
No, all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
The Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady have changing tables onboard in the family restroom. The Little Lady, Fair Lady, and First Lady do not have changing tables onboard.
Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding. Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise.
Due to security reasons, luggage cannot be brought onboard. There is not an area to store your luggage dockside either. We recommend having your hotel hold your luggage.
Yes, all the boats have restrooms onboard. There are also wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady. Please note: the restrooms close 15 minutes before the end of the tour for safety reasons.
You do not have to print your tickets. You can show your mobile ticket to our dock attendant with your smartphone, or you can have your tickets printed at the dockside will call window (be sure to bring a photo ID and your confirmation number).
All seating is general admission. Outdoor seating is guaranteed.
Yes. All boats have a full service bar and small snacks onboard. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
All tours are 90 minutes except for our 2-hour 3D Fireworks Cruises.
We are the only tour that partners with the Chicago Architecture Center to offer the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady. All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour.